Thursday, November 26, 2015

Penticton 4 Vernon 3 Overtime

For anyone who could not attend or watch tonight’s Vipers game here are my thoughts and views from tonight’s game. You may agree or disagree but we all have our own view and opinion on any game we watch. This is my opinion and my thoughts on how I saw tonight’s game. I try to be unbiased and give a fare recap on both sides. Thanks for stopping by & visiting my blog.

I was at tonight's Vipers-Vees game as Penticton defeated Vernon 4-3 in overtime in front of 2,521 fans at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Andrew Shortridge
Penticton: Anthony Brodeur

1st Period: The Vipers got off to a good start, had lots of jump and energy early had a good opening shift off the faceoff. Vernon with some good pressure early before the Vees would come back with a good push back shift or two of their own before the Vipers would open the scoring less then five minutes into the game. Griffin James with a shot from the blueline beat Anthony Brodeur with a Viper in front gave Vernon a 1-0 lead at 4:17 Odeen Tufto & Charley Michalowski collected the helpers. Penticton would respond with a good shift, Scott Conway alone in the slot couldnt beat Andrew Shortridge who went down before smothering the puck in his chest made a good save from in close. Just six and a half minutes into the frame Bo Bellah lead the Viper attack with a two on one rush, Pellah decided to keep and shoot couldnt beat Brodeur who made a big save keeping this a one goal game. On the following shift Viper captain Colton McCarthy with a good chance was stopped by Brodeur from the slot. Vernon with two good back to back quality chances. On the following play the Vees would get the games first powerplay, Vees captain Tyson Jost with a quick shot from the circle couldnt beat Shortridge who flashed the leather making a quick glove save off the Vees sniper kept this game 1-0. Penticton with just the lone opportunity and shot couldnt capitalize as the Vipers would kill off the minor. Ex Viper Demico Hannoun took a crosscheck along the boards from Riley Brandt, Hannoun looked in some discomfort as he headed off the ice but stayed in the game. The Vees slowly started to come on and took over the edge in play, having Vernon hemmed in their own end, the Vees looked like they were still on the PP. Moving the puck around, Penticton didnt get many chances but did create some real nice passing plays but couldnt connect at the end coming very close were buzzing in and around the goal. With just over seven minutes remaining Taylor Ward with a wrap around couldnt beat Andrew Shortridge who come up with another good save from in tight. The Viper defence played well blocking alot of shots, really limiting the Vees offence. The Vipers would get their first look with the man advantage with just under six minutes left in the opening frame. But shorthanded former Vipers Luke Voltin & Demico Hannoun broke out on the two on one, Hannoun waited before setting up Voltin who got off a bit of a weak shot that was stopped by Shortridge on a good opportunity on the penalty kill. The Vipers struggled, couldnt get much going with the PP. Vernon seemed to gain some momentum after the powerplay, as the Vipers come on strong to finish the period. It was 1-0 Vernon after 20 minutes of play. The Vipers with a good start, would open the scoring, looked very good in the first five to six minutes before the Vees responded with a good push. Penticton carried the play for a while it seemed as the Vipers couldnt get out of their own end or through the neutral zone. Vernon did respond late and finished the period with a good finish. Both teams had some good chances. Shots were 9-9.

2nd Period: The Vipers with another good start would generate some zone time and get a few chances in the first few minutes. Martin Brodeur's son Anthony Brodeur was having troubles controlling his rebounds but the Vipers couldnt capitalize, were having troubles getting to the puck on the second opportunities. Vernon would get an early powerplay. Christian Cakebread would give Vernon a 2-0 lead at 5:49 Ideen Tufto and Liam Finlay with the assists. The Vipers were outshooting the Vees 7-1 at this point. But just a minute later Penticton would get their second powerplay of the night and capitalize. Nick Jones blast from the point may have gone off a Viper defenceman in front would go in off the post and into the back of the net at 6:38 Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro picked up the assists. The Vees get on the board and back in the hockey game, less then a minute after Vernon's goal. The Vees would gain some life and momentum and come back with a flurry of pressure in the offensive zone. Penticton again didnt generate alot of great scoring chances, carried the edge in play didnt give Vernon much of a chance to get out of their own end. The Vipers would respond and carry a slight edge as Vernon with some good zone time but like the Vees didnt get many good opportunities. In the second half Penticton would get their second straight man advantage and miss on a great opportunity. The puck come out to the side of the net where a Penticton player somehow missed the open net. The Vees with a few good chances down low couldnt beat Vipers starting goaltender Andrew Shortridge who come up with several big saves on the PK. Shorthanded Riley Brandt couldnt beat Vees starting goaltender Anthony Brodeur who come up with a big save on a Viper two on one. Vernon with a good penalty kill would kill off the minor, Jagger Williamson out of the box would lead the charge with a three on one but couldnt get the pass through the Vees d-man on a missed opportunity. The Vipers would get a late PP but couldnt capitalize before taking a late penalty of their own. The Vees with a late powerplay would run out of time as the period come to an end. Vernon was up 2-1 after 40 minutes of play. Vernon with another good start to the period, the Vipers would generate some chances before grabbing a two goal lead on an early powerplay. The Vees would respond less then a minute later getting a powerplay goal of their own. This got the Vees on the board and back in the game. From here on in I thought both teams went back and fourth, each team carrying the play or shifts at a different time. The Vees would carry the play and look better but then later Vernon would carry the play and look good. Alot of momentum swings in this period. Not alot of scoring chances for either team. Vernon outshot Penticton 13-11.

3rd Period: Penticton started the 3rd on the PP that was carried over from the end of the 2nd period. The Vipers would kill off the minor before the Vees come very close to tying the game in the opening minute after a shot from the blueline would hit Andrew Shortridge before just graizing the crossbar on a close call. The Vees would head right back to the PP getting an early powerplay. Penticton with a ton of pressure, poured on the offensive attack. The Vees moving the puck around were buzzing in and around the goal as the Vipers were having all kinds of trouble clearing the zone. The Vees with some very nice passing plays just couldnt finish in and around the net, come very close to tying the game. The Vipers would excape and kill off the penalty. Being outshot and outplayed the Vipers would respond just as the penalty expired.  The Vipers who couldnt get out of their own end or even through the neutral zone at all until this point of the period, would get their first rush into the Vees zone and score. Jagger Williamson was stopped by Brodeur before Christian Cakebread burried the rebound on Vernon's first shot of the period gave the Vipers their second two goal lead of the night, 3-1 at 6:49 Williamson & Liam Finlay with the assists. Penticton responded with another big push back. The Vees with a ton of pressure down low had the Viper defence in circles. Chris Gerrie would get stopped in close, before getting a second opportunity, the Vees would get four shots in a row couldnt beat Andrew Shortridge who was standing on his head before Gerrie would eventually find the back of the net with Shortridge down and out. Gerrie at 7:55 Nick Jones and Owen Sillinger collected the helpers. For a second time tonight, the Vees responded well after giving up a goal. Penticton scored less then a minute later after Vernon's second goal and now just over a minute would score after Vernon's third goal. The Vees werent done just yet, Penticton fired right back with another strong forecheck and attack. Shortridge made a huge glove save off Owen Sillinger at the halfway mark keeping this a one goal game. The Vipers having all kinds of trouble clearing the zone, turning over or coughing up the puck. Penticton with a strong forecheck had the Vipers hemmed in their own end for most of the period. The Vees moving the puck, had the Vipers chasing the puck all period come very close to tying the game. Vernon would call a timeout with seven minutes to go, the Vipers with just two shots on goal at this point were badly outplayed. The Vees kept coming and coming with a ton of pressure. Penticton would get Anthony Brodeur to the bench with about 1:45 remaining before tying the game. Griffin Mendel's point shot beat a screened Shortridge tied the game 3-3 at 18:24 sending the SOEC into a frenzy as the Vees bench erupted. Same Jones and Tyson Jost with the assists. Vernon who didnt have any zone time at all at this point, other then on their third goal would finish with a strong effort. The Vipers with a good attack to finish the period had a few shots on net blew a two goal lead were going to overtime. The Vees turned it up a notch and totally dominated the 3rd period. Penticton all over the Vipers for the entire period would battled back down two goals to force OT. The Vipers struggled and were badly outplayed the entire period. Vernon's defence was running around, turned over-coughed up the puck on several plays. The Vipers with just two shots in the first fourteen minutes of the period couldnt get out of their own end or through the neutral zone. The lone bright spot for Vernon was limiting the Vees chances and blocking alot of shots. Penticton outshot Vernon 10-6.

Overtime: The Vipers would get setup in the offensive zone early into the extra frame but couldnt generate much before the Vees responded with a good shift back the other way, Penticton moving the puck around couldnt were kept to the outside, limiting their chances. The Vees would get the puck back and get back into the Viper zone. Tyson Jost with some nice moves would setup Scott Conway who was able to walk in front and rip a shot past Andrew Shortridge giving Penticton the 4-3 overtime victory at 3:17 as the Vees bench erupted onto the ice sending the SOEC into a frenzy. Tyson Jost and Colton Poolman with the helpers. No real scoring chances in overtime other then Conway's OT winner. Penticton outshot Vernon 1-0.

Top Player's: (Vernon)

Charley Michalowski playing in just his second game with the Vipers I thought was one of the better forwards tonight. Michalowski has some skill-talent can skate and move the puck, quick with his hands played very well.

Odeen Tufto (2 assists) I thought played well through out the game. Tufto played hard at both ends of the rink was going to the net.

Andrew Shortridge (26 saves) Played well, made the saves when called apon, didnt see alot of action but played well giving his team a chance to win, especially in the 3rd when the Vipers were being outplayed.

Game Thought's: (Vernon)

I thought the Vipers held their own and played fairly well against the Vees in the first two periods before getting outplayed pretty bad in the 3rd. I thought the Vipers come ready to play, got off to a good start, had lots of jump and energy, opened the scoring early. The Vipers got off to a good start in the 1st and 2nd periods played fairly well against the league leading Vees. Vernon did a good job at blocking alot of shots tonight, limited the number of Penticton shots and opportunities, held their own at times through the first two periods. Give credit to the Vipers for shutting down the Vees top two lines. Yes Conway scored the OT winner and Jost picked up two assists but I thought Vernon did a good job at containing Penticton's top two lines for most of the night. The Vipers didnt get alot of scoring chances, did get lots of zone time at times especially in the 3rd, capitalized on their chances. At times through out the game Vernon had a few good opportunities to grab a three goal lead but couldnt capitalize. This could have easily changed the outcome of the game. Vernon struggled in the faceoff department. The Vipers had troubles at times containing the Vees speed, allowing Penticton to walk-get a scoring chance. It was in the 3rd when the wheels fell off. Penticton jumped on the Vipers early but it was the Vipers who scored early for a third straight period would get their second two goal lead of the night, but couldnt hold onto the lead. The Vees kept coming and coming forced the Viper defence into several turnovers. Vernon struggled clearing the zone-getting through the neutral zone had just two shots on goal fourteen minutes into the 3rd. Vernon with no zone time played most of the 3rd in their own end. The Vipers back on their heels watched a two goal lead slip away before falling in overtime. Even though they were badly outplayed in the 3rd, up 3-1 this is a game you have to try and hold on to and come away with the win.  

Top Player's: (Penticton)

Nick Jones (2 assists) Was involved in the play most of the night, jumping up into the play also played very well defensively on the blueline.

Scott Conway (Overtime winner) Now has points in twenty four straight games. Conway didnt get alot of chances tonight but played well through out the game.

Luke Voltin faced his former team for the first time this season, battled hard and played hard in front of the net. Took a beating in and around the net on the powerplay and five on five, competed hard.

Mitch Brooks was another forward that I thought played hard-competed hard. Was in and around the net alot.

Owen Sillinger (1 assist) Played well through out the game. Had a few good looks at the net, was involved in the play-always in and around the net.

Chris Gerrie (1 goal) Also played very well up front for the Vees. Was in and around the net all night, was quick on his feet, played with alot of energy.

Anthony Brodeur (29 saves) Gave up alot of rebounds wasnt forced into making alot of difficult saves tonight, made a few big saves played well.

Game Thought's: (Penticton)

The Penticton Vees never had a lead until overtime. Give the Vees full credit for battling back and not giving up. The Vees were down 2-0 and 3-1 and still somehow, managed to tie the game before pulling out the win in overtime. I thought the Vipers held their own against Penticton for atleast the first two periods but in the 3rd the Vees really showed how good they are. The Vees carried the play at times in the first two periods but didnt generate alot for offence. I didnt think either team had alot of opportunities, both teams did a good job at shutting down the other teams offensive players. The Vees were really limited in their shots and chances couldnt finish in and around the net. Penticton with some very nice passing plays, looked to have a goal lined up but couldnt finish in close, either just missing on the pass or waiting that extra second to shoot-pass before a Viper defender would cover someone. The Vees had to work for the two points and deserved it. Penticton really showed how good of a team they are in the 3rd when they took it too the Vipers. The Vees dominated the 3rd outplayed the Vipers, scoring twice forcing overtime. Penticton won most of the faceoffs, can really move the puck in a hurry, get shots off in a hurry and have a ton of skill-talent up front as well as on the backend. Penticton has some very shifty-crafty skilled forwards who seem to find a way to get away from their defenders. This was no easy win by far, look at some of the injuries the Vees have, but just another gritty performance by a team that is very tough to beat. The Vees are 2-0 against Vernon, have now won eighteen straight games at home, going back to last season. A pretty big crowd for a Wednesday night. $5 tickets-kids get in for free. The SOEC has added a new goal horn for this season. 

Scratches:

Vernon:

Joe Sacco
Callum Volpe

Penticton:

Gabe Bast (Injured)
Ben Brar (Suspended)  
Easton Brodzinski (Injured)
Dixon Bowen (Injured)
Seamus Donohue (Injured)

Energy Player of the Game:

Owen Sillinger (1 assist)

Three Star's:

1st Star: Nick Jones (2 assists)
2nd Star: Christian Cakebread (2 goals)
3rd Star: Scott Conway (Overtime winner)

BCHL Boxscore,

http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/hockey_boxscores.cfm?clientID=1413&leagueID=2393&gameID=1477267&link=bchl

Fraser Rodgers Penticton Vees Blog

https://pentictonvees.wordpress.com/

Graham Turnbull's Vernon Vipers Blog,

http://vipersvenom1.blogspot.ca/

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